Brilliant Communities

Andy Cope, from Derby, is the founder of ‘Brilliant Communities’, an organisation initiating happiness projects in schools across the country.

Andy uses 3 week positive psychology workshops to transform school cultures and place students at the centre of projects to spread kindness and wellbeing.

Students design their own projects which have included an induction scheme for new year sevens, a record- breaking 21,000 random acts of kindness across Derby and a mass happiness march in Hastings attracting over 1000 people.

Students are left feeling empowered and excited about social action and making positive changes in their own communities.

In a personal letter to Andy, Prime Minister Theresa May said:

“Your innovative ‘Brilliant Communities’ programme is giving young people a passion for making a difference and supporting others. By putting students at the heart of initiatives you are empowering them to realise their own potential to be a part of changing lives for the better.”

Andy said:

“On behalf of our team, I’m thrilled that our work in schools has been recognised for a PoL award. We deliver workshops on happiness, we are steeped in the theory and practice of happiness and I can safely say that this award has made me happy!”